Versatility is very much en vogue for Shukri Conrad as he takes control of coaching the Proteas in the limited overs formats.
From Rassie van der Dussen’s batting position — which Conrad feels doesn’t need to be locked in the top order — to the selection of Rubin Hermann — who can seemingly fill all roles throughout the batting order — Conrad’s vision for the T20 format is to avoid the formulaic.
That, along with aggression, which the Test side has become increasingly comfortable with, are traits Conrad will look to solidify as he builds a squad for next year’s T20 World Cup in India.
At face value, it may appear that the Proteas don’t have to do much after coming so close at the last T20 world event in Barbados where, needing 30 runs from 30 balls, they ended up losing by seven runs to India.
But that tournament was unique. South Africa played on some horrible pitches, including at the temporary stadium in New York, and then in St Vincent, where on a turning deck they had to scrap out a one-run win against Nepal. The Proteas had to adopt a more cautious approach with the bat in those conditions, but with next year’s tournament to be played on what will likely be more friendly Indian surfaces, circumspection isn’t as relevant.
The composition of the squad for the triangular series in Zimbabwe — which includes New Zealand — suggests attacking intent; there is high pace with the ball from Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger, and with the bat, the likes of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, George Linde and Hermann are all thunderous strikers.
“It’s the one element Rubes uses across all three formats. He’s not a high risk taker, but he hits the ball hard,” said Hermann’s provincial coach at the North West Dragons, Craig Alexander.
He’s not surprised that Conrad has included the 28-year-old for Zimbabwe. “He can open, bat in the middle and finish the innings,” he said.
That is a rare breed of player, and certainly the type that would fit in the squad for next year’s tournament.
I think what helped his cricket is, he did a lot of hard work in Division 2. A lot of cricketers don’t take the time to get to know themselves, but Rubes developed his game quite a lot in Division 2.
— Craig Alexander, Rubin Hermann’s coach at the North West Dragons
Hermann has also “served his time” at provincial level, said Alexander, which — along with his excellent fielding, that includes being able to don the wicketkeeping gloves — should mean he doesn’t need to be as carefully managed as some of the younger squad members like Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka.
“I think what helped his cricket is, he did a lot of hard work in Division 2. A lot of cricketers don’t take the time to get to know themselves, but Rubes developed his game quite a lot in Division 2.”
Hermann came to prominence in this year’s SA20, where the majority of his performances were at No 3 for the Paarl Royals. He scored 333 runs, including three half centuries at a strike rate of 128.07. As a left-hander, should they push him down the order, then operating alongside David Miller or even in his place, is an option the Proteas might consider.
There is a middle order/finisher spot available after the retirement of Heinrich Klaasen, and Conrad will be keen to give someone like Brevis an extended run in that position. Part of Brevis’s improvement last season included how well he performed at No 5 in the order. Whether that be building on a good start — like he didn’t in making his highest score of 73 at SuperSport Park — or when rescuing the innings against the Sunrisers in Gqeberha, after they’d slumped to 42/3, and Brevis made 53.
Although not yet in the same class as Klaasen against spin, Brevis does thrive against slow bowling, and given where the next World Cup is being hosted, that part of his batting is likely to earn a tick next to his name too.
Linde has the opportunity to cement a World Cup spot. Conrad values Linde’s all-round ability with his batting likely to be as important to the Proteas as his left-arm spin.
While Keshav Maharaj has been integral to the Proteas across formats in the last five years, his batting is limited — especially when compared to Linde’s — and it’s clear Conrad wants his frontline spinners to be able to contribute with the bat, hence Senuran Muthusamy’s inclusion for the Zimbabwe series.
It’s still early in the building of a team for next February’s ICC event, but with some big hitters still to come back, including skipper Aiden Markram and the veteran Miller, who has yet to call time on his international career, the next few weeks will offer a glimpse of Conrad’s style.
He certainly doesn’t want to be predictable, but aggression is as important. The Proteas don’t want to be in a position where they needed 30 off 30 again, they’d like the odds to be more in their favour than that.
SA T20 squad for Zimbabwe Triangular Series:
Rassie van der Dussen (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane
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